Bible Questions & Discussion PAGE 13

  • Bennymkje - 4 weeks ago
    Matt.21: 33-46 "Parable of the Wicked Tenants"

    "He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons." (v.41)

    The vineyard is Jerusalem. It is set on a fruitful hill. Isaiah's Song of the Vineyard (5:1-7) gives us the key. "For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry." Prophet Zechariah refers to Jerusalem which is elevated not by natural causes but the day of the Lord calls for their destruction and it is to be let out to other husbandmen. In one level the song "Now will I sing to my well-beloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard" is about the everlasting covenant and it is this elevated ground called New Jerusalem we are concerned about.

    In the previous post we considered the pure water of life with the tree of life on either side of it, and it is how we track house of Israel on a fruitful has its double in the world of the Spirit. Thus the night vision of Daniel shows one like the Son of man is' the well beloved' in the Song of Isaiah. The river coursing through the middle of throne gives the river of time with worlds of the body and of th Spirit carrying the destinies of nations. This key shall explain the last chapter of the Book of Zechariah as well.

    "In that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea." This living waters refer the pure water of life in St John's vision.(Ze.14:8-10)

    There shall be no more sea (21:1) The waters are for the saved nations. "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."(Re.22;17)
  • Bennymkje - 4 weeks ago
    Matt.21:43-46 "Nations"

    "Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof./ And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder./ And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them."

    'A nation bringing forth fruits' is not any specific nation but children of light collectively called a nation, and its hallmark is determined by fruits. "Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit."(12:33). Do we see any nation producing fruits that may be called as good?

    Re.21:23 presents us nations walking under the holy city which is set up in mid-air so 12 foundation mentioned earlier gives us a rainbow as token of the everlasting covenant renewed between God and Noah, "for perpetual generations"(Ge.9:17).This is the sign now established by their own merits to which Jesus and his disciples serve for signs and wonders.(Is.8:18). Zion is above and not on the earth. Only those whose names 'are written in the Lamb's book of life,'(21:28) shall have access to it.

    "And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: and the Lamb is the light thereof".

    However the pure water of life cannot be hanging in the midair but serves a purpose. There shall be no more curse but healing of nations would require the tree of life. "And on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations".(Re.22:1-3)

    "And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain."(Ze.14:17) Gates to New Jerusalem are open (21:25)
  • Bennymkje - 4 weeks ago
    Matt.21:23-27 "If thy eye be evil"

    "By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?"

    The triumphal entry of Jesus moved the city of Jerusalem and the commotion brought chief priests and elders to see it for themselves. "Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?"(13:55) In his own country the townsfolk were offended and in Jerusalem he was all the more a question mark. "Who gave thee this authority?"

    Jesus could have given the same answer he gave John, "Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see/ The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them."(11:4-6) What blessedness was in reducing the power and glory of God into some theorem to be proved? It is what serpent gave Eve asking her to prove God by some established truths. Knowledge of good and evil without the truth was neither here nor there. Ever since the world has been wrestling with it and to what purpose?

    Man raises razor-wire fencing to keep migrants out while within wildfires menacingly spread into an inferno does man see any connection? Of course not. His mind has been corrupted by undue stress on reason to see his folly from evidences. Minds that devise nuclear bombs to halt a war in far-off Pacific theater of war may not have foreseen space based nuclear weapons but it has become the reality.

    The chief priests without faith could not determine if John's baptism was from heaven or not. They also wanted to please man so they were stumped by the question of Jesus. They were like the proverbial salt having lost savor was good for nothing. "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."(He.11:6)
  • Momsage - In Reply - 4 weeks ago
    Also you forgot one type of sarcasm; a form of speech to make a point.
  • Momsage - In Reply - 4 weeks ago
    Hello GiGi: When I made that one small sarcastic remark to Chris, it was to make a point, not to offend anyone but you jumped on it like it was a terrible sin and seemed to be glad to finally have "proof" that I was a "sinner." That's the way I took it. If you had simply asked me not to do it anymore, because it offended you, I would have been fine with that. Now you've blown it all out of proportion and seemed to be including Chris and Adam in the turmoil. I have apologized for offending you and Chris, whom according to you, was also offended. I will say to Adam, IF I have offended you also I apologize for your misunderstanding of my use of sarcasm like GiGi and, I guess, Chris have and were also offended. I don't know how you even got involved in this so, sorry. GiGi, your dissing on me and calling me snarky seems worse to me then a little sarcasm. You even seem a little angry. So, I will finish my commitment to the Lord about the other matter we were discussing but you won't hear back about it from me because I don't intend on having any more discussions with you and Chris and Adam of any kind. I think we should part ways. I'll see you all in Heaven some day. God Bless:)
  • GiGi - In Reply - 4 weeks ago
    Thanks Steven.
  • GiGi - In Reply - 4 weeks ago
    My brother is believer and I think that my nephew is, too. I just started to get to know him a bit more in September. There has not been a lot of interaction between my brother and I for some time. I texted my brother offering my support and concern for both him and his son. I don't know much of the details of how all this came about but I do know that his mother was very neglectful of him while in her care up until he was 18 and moved here to live with his dad. He has severe allergies and asthma and attacks send him to the hospital. He told me before he moved this way he had such an attack and asked his mom to take him to the ER which was across the alley from their house. She would not and he called 911 to be transported 1 block. That kind of did it for him as far as living with her any longer. Her pattern of neglect for her 6 children (3 are my brother and hers) with this nephew being the youngest has been long standing for more than 50 years when her first 3 were born out of wedlock and she was on welfare. It is long story of neglect and disfunction with both my brother and their Mom. My brother was forced to move out in when this nephew was 18 months old and he could not visit at all. He just went along with what his wife told him to do. So, His son came to live with him at 28 and he did not know his dad at all, really. It was a situation I was not privy to since they lived across the state and I had concerns about my children being exposed to some things that we wanted to avoid, so we did not spend much time with them over the years. But now, my nephew wants to communicate more with me after a family gathering in September.

    So, prayer is needed, for we know that the Holy Spirit intercedes in us when we do not know how to pray. Thanks.

    My family is very, very dysfunctional and there have been so many concerning matters over the years that we have just stayed apart as much as possible while visiting my Mom and a few brothers that are fairly normal.
  • Richard H Priday - In Reply - 4 weeks ago
    I of course will ask for the Lord to make Himself real to him; not knowing where he is at in that regard. As far as support goes I would ask that for your brother as well; that some understanding as to what may have triggered this episode will be made clear.

    Not sure what else for now unless you want to give any more specifics; except that he will realize that you are a woman of faith and that he should heed your words of wisdom.

    Agape.

    Rich P
  • S Spencer - In Reply - 4 weeks ago
    Sure will Gigi.

    God bless you.
  • GiGi - In Reply - 4 weeks ago
    Thanks Adam

    This is a very concerning situation, but i know that God is bigger than all our problems and struggles and the effects of the fall.

    He is able to redeem and heal and protect.
  • Adam - In Reply - 4 weeks ago
    Hi GiGi, I'm sorry to hear that but thanks for sharing that. I prayed for him. May God's will be done.
  • GiGi - 4 weeks ago
    Hello please pray for my nephew. He suffers from PTSD and has tired to commit suicide 4 times this last month. He just got released from a three week stay in the psyche ward. He texted me today to let me know as I had texted to check in with him. He is 30, lives with my brother, his dad, is unable to work and has a whole plateful of things to work through. I did not know how serious his mindset was until I got this text. Your prayers are appreciated and I am thankful for all who will lit up "J" now in his road to healing and recovery.
  • Momsage - In Reply - 4 weeks ago
    Hi GiGi:

    I'm still studying on our other discussion but I did want to say my sarcasm was meant to make a point. I still haven't heard from Chris that I offended him, as far as I know. I agree with most of what you said. If sarcasm is done in a way that is displeasing to God it shouldn't be done. The sarcasm should be apologized for and the believer should ask God for forgiveness for hurting the other person and to help him to overcome using sarcasm in a hurtful way. God Bless :)
  • Momsage - In Reply - 4 weeks ago
    Hi Sharon Marable:

    I truly sympathies with you. The same thing happen to me when I moved to Denver, a big city and no non-denominational churches would help me with a ride. I just trusted that God would make a way then I moved to where my daughter lived and she took me to church. I know you just moved so I'm not saying that that is the solution for you unless God directs you, but just Pray and trust God to make the way for you to be able to go to church. Just keep your spiritual eyes on opening of doors for you but don't compromise, be sure it's a church you trust. I will pray for you. God Bless :)
  • Momsage - In Reply - 4 weeks ago
    Exodus 20: 13 King James Bible

    Thou shalt not kill.

    Kill: ratsach: to murder, slay
  • Bennymkje - 4 weeks ago
    Matt.21:22 "Power, glory and faith"

    "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."

    'All things' are included here. Worlds framed by the word of God are heaven and the earth that is the world abides forever so blessings of every one who is adopted the fellowship of God and the Son is entitled to it. "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"(Ro.8:32) As children of light we ought to be circumspect to seek not the selfsame things as the ungodly in a frenzy rush in madcap adventures that eventually drive them to their destruction. "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:/Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world."(2 Pe.1:3-4)
  • GiGi - In Reply - 4 weeks ago
    Dear Sue, I will pray for you today for all that you have requesting in the name of Jesus.

    Heavenly Father, we come to You today and ask that you help Sue to grow spiritually and to be enabled to walk by the Spirit daily. Help the children mature in their fand let no one be a stumbling block before the to case any to doubt You or pursue ungodliness.

    We ask that Sue's husband be brought to faith by Your Holy Spirit's work of regeneration and that he will see the need to help Sue out with the many things a full time mother does. Amen
  • Bennymkje - 4 weeks ago
    Matt.21:22 "Power"

    "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."

    In sending the Son to the world what the will of the Father testifies we see the Word is at work from the worlds were made to appear; we have also seen the glory of the Word bearing whosoever comes into the fellowship are empowered as well. "For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings."(He.2:10-11) Glory of the Son and of the sanctified by the word are upheld by the word of his power. God presented Jesus Christ as the firstborn of all creation since glory of the body in each case is from Him. Besides we are of the same house. "For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren." Faith is one so Jesus Christ obeying his Father delineates the self-same DNA operating in us. It was faith that the disciples required to be perfect. God perfected his Son when He sent him to the world. If sufferings were ahead of him we shall also find them aplenty in our own lives.

    Word sent forth proved right when Jesus required transport. Apostle John speaks of beholding glory, "(and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." The withering of the fig tree was an objective lesson for his disciples,"For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath." (Matt.13:12;25:29)

    " Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done".
  • Bennymkje - 4 weeks ago
    Matt.21:15-16 "Perfecting praise"

    "And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?"

    Jesus cites from Psalm 8 the glory set above the heaven and it refers to the throne of God. When Jesus said on an earlier occasion,"But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven" he referred to the glory which had ordained strength (19:14) in them 'because of thine enemies' and it was demonstrated along the march. "And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest./And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved."(vv.9-10) We shall refer the Lucan gospel, "And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples./ And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out."( Luke 19:39-40).

    God gives each body its character " But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him" (1 Co.15:38). These bodies do differ but in terms of glory it points to God whether inanimate or not. It is why Jesus referred to the stones. If the enemies of God were to deny the Son the glory due the stones shall nevertheless take it up for perfecting the praise due to Him. The point is that glory of God when understood correctly is an indication that the body is one with God. This shall also explain why the fig tree withered away. (vv.18-20). Jesus hungered and went to the tree. It failed to see the God of glory. In failing to perfect praise the tree straightaway withered away.

    Compare the saying of John the Baptist," And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham."(3:9)
  • Bennymkje - 4 weeks ago
    Matt.21:1-7 "Way to Jerusalem"

    God sending his only begotten Son to the world was not done in a casual manner. The writer to the Hebrew gives us with regards to the word. "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,/Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;"(He.1:1-2). When Jesus sent his two disciples to fetch his carriage he knew precisely where and when he should , and he said to them "And straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me". The anonymous owner of the beast was in the know of his itinerary. God framed the worlds by his word and faith is what opens all doors so unseen hinderances or alternate mode of travel do not arise. Jesus told his messengers what to expect. "And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them." (v.3). Accordingly the two disciples set off to do his bidding. In short faith opens the doors whether at Bethphage or at Cana, "So that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. In the Lord's Prayer we ask for daily bread 'for this day' and we connect our 'now' with what God made manifest in his Son before the worlds began.

    This explains this passage,"All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,/Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass." Prophet Isaiah is still relevant because faith is one bridging time elements into the present. So we need treat his triumphal entry into Jerusalem as a stopover and we shall meet him in Jerusalem which is heavenly. Jesus would refuse to be king over a nation that made their temple a den of robbers and from the greatest to the least "Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers,"(Is.1:4)
  • GiGi - In Reply - 1 month ago
    Dear Rositator,

    I am glad you have come to this site. Welcome. We lift up each other in prayer here. I will be praying for your request. I wish I Spanish or your sake.

    Dear Heavenly Father, we ask that You will help Rositator with the sadness of her loss. We ask that You comfort her, lift up her spirit, strengthen her in faith and in her daily walk with You in the Holy Spirit within her. In Jesus' name we come to You as He told us to do We know You hear our prayers and know all of our needs, sorrows, and problems. We cast ourselves upon Your mercy and love always. You are ever with us and will not forsake us.

    Rositator is Yours forever, and we thank You for ringing her here to be among us. Bless her today and give her Your peace. Amen
  • GiGi - In Reply - 1 month ago
    Dear Frank.

    Thank you for reminding us of how your wife is abusing you. Will be praying for you.

    I will advise you the same way I would advise a woman who is being physically abused-leave the abuser. Get yourself into a situation where you are removed from her so that she cannot physically hit you anymore. That is good for you and also for her. If you are not around her, she will not be allowed to continue behavior that is sinful and harmful to you and your relationship. I would recommend that you get away from her sooner than later. If you need to stay in the home, then document the times she hits you for a week or so and then file a restraining order that will require her to leave the home. it is healthy for both of you to not continue interacting in this way. I will remember you and her in my prayers today.
  • Bennymkje - 1 month ago
    Matt.20:15-16 Thine eye being evil"

    "Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?/So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen."

    God is the householder and when we have become the many sons of God we may say we are of his house and our rights and privileges are that conferred by his Son. "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."( Luke 12:32). This aspect of kingdom building is what we considered in the earlier posts. We ministered with the Son who showed with his life as to how. "And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant." (20:27) Holiness of God is made manifest because He sent his own Son whose humanity showed what was good.

    In the Parable of the Laborers the willing hands were for hire and nothing else they brought into the vineyard. All they had in mind was merely a penny as the day's wages. They were hireling while Jesus as the Good Shepherd is not working for his hire but he seeks to promote the interest of his Father. He knows the sheep by name so his interests and of his Father are in lockstep. "And know my sheep, and am known of mine./ As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. ( John 10:14-15) Kingdom building cannot be left to the hirelings because they are not trustworthy if left to themselves. An hireling "seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep./The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep."(vv.12-13). For this reason the Householder calls their eye is evil. Their heart is not right since they are in the vineyard for the penny they agreed upon. Salvation is likened to a day's wages.

    v.14 Hierarchy on the basis of hours is a lie if the contract stipulated day's wages only. Similarly the Pope and the sexton can only be paid what is agreed before hand.
  • Bennymkje - 1 month ago
    Matt.20:25-28 "It shall not be so"

    " Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (v.28)

    It is a categorical statement and rules of engagement in the Kingdom of his dear Son vastly differs from that of the pagan world. We shall see the damage done already by the miry clay so the strength of iron has become as oppressive as the weakness of clay has made their creed,-the liturgical worship of the congregation akin to the mumbo jumbo to which Jesus alluded,"But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking." This vain repetition consequently has made the faith they rely on to none effect. The same Scripture the imposter church follows as a believer yet so many doctrinal heresies would require so many denominations ,-and the religious wars of the past and inquisition with its instruments of cruelty that one may ask, "Is Christ so divided among you?" Jesus set an example but still the princes of the Holy See and TV celebrities overlord their flock as though they were entitled to have different rules than they impose on other. Jesus has clearly shown us an example.

    "But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them./ But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;/ And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant."

    Humility of the suffering Servant was not for himself but to give life as ransom for many. Jesus explained the reward of following him through thick and thin. They shall "inherit everlasting life.(19:29). Hope of 'every one that hath forsaken houses' is eternal habitations. "In my Father's house are many mansions". He has also given them a route map. "I am the way." ( John 14:2-6)
  • Bennymkje - 1 month ago
    Matt.20:23 "In thy kingdom" (2 of 2)

    The solicitous mother of John and James were not asking favor in this present world but in the kingdom come which is itself nothing short of extraordinary and it shows that the mother was conscious of the glory of the word and the Son who was he Word become flesh. Like the Samaritan woman by the well she was well aware of the coming of Messiah and was well receptive to her sons having part in the kingdom building. With regards to the kingdom we shall come acoss two kingdoms one of the Son and of the Father.

    St Paul refers to the resurrection from the dead which comes in a series as with the baptism of fire. The refiners fire purifying the sons of Levi already occurred when Ihe Imperial Rome destroyed Jerusalem in AD70; likewise purging the house of God by fire 'as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness",(Mal.3;3;1 Pe.4:17) is yet to occur. It is to which St Paul refers, "and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is."(1 Co.3:13-15)

    "And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all." This shall occur after the last enemy death has been overcome. (1 Co.15:23-28) Obedience of the Son is in fulfilling the divine Will of the Father so he submits his own glory and honor to the Father, 'that he ay be all in all.'This shall explain the reply Jesus gave the mother of Zebedee's children.
  • Bennymkje - 1 month ago
    Matt.20:23 "Left and Right" (1 of 2)

    "But to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father."

    Psalmist David speaking of the Father Son relationship gives as a reading of the glory and honor of the Lord God."The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." (Ps.110:1). God has appointed his Son, "whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds." The risen Christ is seated 'on the right hand of the Majesty on high.' (He.1:2-3). The Spirit gives his Son a specific position as His express image and the brightness of glory a hallowed place no man shall intrude. When God warns Moses, he says, "Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground." (Ex.3:5) Access to God is by invitation only.

    The mother of Zebedees children wanted a special favor and it was a private, and by asking Jesus did damage already. It was a oneupmanship and like winning the jackpot all she had to do was to pick the number which was none other than the Son of God.

    Naturally it created dissension among the twelve. "And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren." They were moved with indignation and it is also a reflection all the apostles were slow learners as to what their master represented to them. "Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.:(vv.25-28)

    The disciples did not earn peace with God by their own merits which by earthly standards almost to nil. They were blessed in his Son before the worlds began. So self advertisement or testimonials from the local worthies did not mean a thing. "For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, Nor from the south. But God is the judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another."(Ps.75:6-7)
  • Bennymkje - 1 month ago
    Matt.20:22" Baptism of fire"

    "But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able."

    Having announced what Jerusalem signaled he foresees the fire already kindled. This is what we can gather from the Lucan gospel. ""I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?/ But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!/ Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:" ( Luke 12:49-51)" John the Baptist also had touched upon before Jesus had begun his ministry. He asked 'many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, thus: "Who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?"/"And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. (Matt.3:7,10). From the next verse it is very clear that he is referring to the day of wrath.(Mal.3:2) it has several degrees where he sits "as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver," leading to the day of judgment which is 'qualified by 'unquenchable fire.'

    "He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:/ Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." (3:11-12)

    From these verses we may conclude that Jesus Christ with his resurrection shall present before the Jews and the Gentiles as a stumbling block. Either they will choose or deny him. "And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder."(21:44) His disciples are called to throne of glory where the quality of it is hundredfold meaning whatever they lost in the process was chaff.
  • Richard H Priday - 1 month ago
    The Lord watches over His own.

    My mom was relaying a story tonight about a huge guy on the bus who went after someone trying to touch my Aunt (who is in her 80's) when travelling through a bad neighborhood for her part time job. The guy who defended her seemed to be dangerous himself (and perhaps was); but my point is illustrative of how the Lord works in unexpected ways.

    I am not sure how it is for others on this forum; but often we expect God to answer our prayers either on our own; or with the help of our favorite circle of friends. I have seen the opposite happen more often; however. I worked with a very mentally abusive Paralegal in my former place of employment who the Lord used to help me get a decent agreement with my ex wife for divorce settlement. I didn't really care about what happened but didn't want long term issues. The only thing I was really wanting to do was to make it painful enough for her so that she may repent; or at least understand the dire consequences of committing adultery. Overall; my job there as a file clerk ensured that I had a full time income for many years and was able to support myself when I had to find a place to live on my own. The same thing could be said for someone who was part of the family practice that eventually split; as I was able to do a fair amount of notary and weekend work for some extra cash as well.

    Those in the world know who is going to work hard and have principles even if they don't want to act very grateful much of the time. Nonetheless I was given a decent raise or two there.

    I mention all this because I think it prudent for that task that we spend most of our waking hours doing for our working life be something we see the Lord's hand in. I was fortunate enough to have a number of deep conversations about Christ with a professing believer on that job; as well as others there (who would claim to be Christians but clearly through their actions weren't). To be continued next post....
  • S Spencer - In Reply on Hebrews 6 - 1 month ago
    Hi Tdianne.

    I would like to add to what Gigi has shared.

    1 John 4:12-16.

    No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. HEREBY KNOW WE THAT WE DWELL IN HIM, AND HE IN US, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

    And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

    Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

    And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

    What John is saying is that no man has seen God at any time but if we love one another God dwells in us. In other words God today can manifest himself through believers in loving one another, "and the world sees That!

    John 13:34-35, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

    "What makes this so unique?" What's new about it? Isn't it listed in the Commandments? What's unique and new about it is that he causes it!

    Look at verse 35.

    "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

    John 3:16

    "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,.

    ( God gave us his Spirit that causes us to love the Brothern.)

    God's Spirit, "The Holyspirit" causes those who loves God to love his brother also. 1 John 4:21"

    Romans 5:5.

    And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

    I hope this helps. God bless.
  • Bennymkje - 1 month ago
    Matt.19:25-30 "Hundredfold"

    Peter had chosen life so when great many disciples left Jesus because of his hard sayings ( John 6:67-68( he stuck by the Prince of life. Entering into the kingdom of God appealed to him. So he wanted to know,"what shall we have therefore?" Disciples were curious and on another occasion wanted to know the hour of his coming which the risen Jesus stopped short with a curt answer, "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power." Before his passion also Jesus did not allow any speculation as to what God held in his authority, "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only."(Ac.1:7; Matt.24:36). "My Father worketh hitherto and I work" meant heaven and earth were held by the word of God where fulfillment of the divine Will was his part so when the disciples asked,"Who then can be saved?" Jesus shares what was within his authority to answer. Salvation was as entering with Prince of life through a veil so life abundant was the Holy Grail of their ministry with Jesus Christ. Jesus understood he was earnest and despite of his volatility his heart beat ever so true.

    "When the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel" was in his authority to give. For this reason even after denying him Jesus entrusts his disciples to his care."Feed my sheep" meant Jesus had completely forgiven his former lapse. Hundredfold is in the sense it did not happen as he was concerned. This explains with the being born again experience. "Therefore if any manbein Christ,he isa new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."(2 Co.5:17) Jesus practiced what he preached. "So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses."(Matt.18:35)


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